Reincarnated as Itsuka Shido: Collecting Spirits as Lovers

Shido eyes widen when he heard this familiar tone of voice.

"Wha-"

Through the thick steam, a familiar silhouette approached, and as it became clearer, his breath hitched.

It was Reine.

Her body was wrapped in a thin white towel, clinging dangerously to her curves. Her usually unkempt hair was neatly tied into a ponytail, and the glasses she always wore were nowhere to be seen.

She stepped forward, her bare feet making gentle splashes against the water's edge. Then, she fixed her gaze on him, her expression softer than usual.

A rare smile graced her lips.

"Do you mind, Shin?"

Shido, still reeling from the unexpected situation, quickly shook himself out of his daze as Reine's voice brought him back to reality.

"Well… alright," he said, trying to keep his tone casual despite the slight awkwardness creeping into his voice.

Reine's soft smile deepened as she gracefully stepped into the hot spring. Rather than choosing a spot across from him, she lowered herself into the water right beside him.

Shido felt the heat rise, not just from the hot spring.

His eyes flickered to Reine's body, and he subconsciously gulped. The soaked towel clung to her body, emphasizing her curves in a way that made it impossible to ignore.

Although the hot spring was already quite warm, Shido felt his body heating up in an entirely different way. He even sensed something rising within him, though he was certain it wasn't the Shield Hero.

"So... how come you're here, Reine-san?"

Shido tried to start the conversation so divert his attention on something else, while internally chanting a sutra to regain his composure.

"Kotori and the others seemed to be having fun somewhere, leaving me alone in the female bath. So, I decided to return to our room." Reine explained in her usual drowsy tone.

Reine talked about how she was left behind by Kotori and the rest of the girls and he was speechless by them. Shido knew that they would be planning something mischievous.

Before he could dwell on it further, his thoughts derailed when Reine casually tucked a strand of damp hair behind her ear. 

Those subtle actions of hers were incredibly alluring, especially from Shido's perspective. From where he sat, he had a perfect view of her elegant collarbones and the gentle curve of her nape, accentuated by the steam rising from the water.

"Then, I remembered that there was a private hot spring here, so I decided to take a bath here instead." Reine continued, her voice as calm as ever.

"Hmm? What's wrong Shin?" Reine seemed to notice Shido's gaze, a slight smile appeared on her face. Though she feigned innocence, there was a teasing glint in her eyes.

"...Nothing. I was just thinking how beautiful your eyes are," Shido replied smoothly, meeting her gaze without hesitation. He didn't panic or avert his eyes, nor did he let himself be flustered by her teasing. Instead, he simply chuckled, staring into her deep, sky-like eyes.

"Is that so? Thank you," Reine responded, her tone softening slightly. She knew he was being sincere hearing tone. She could also see the honesty in the way he looked at her.

Then, just like that, the conversation came to a quiet pause.

The two sat close together, their gazes locked, an ambiguous atmosphere settling around them. The only sounds were the gentle ripples of the water and the faint bubbling of the hot spring.

Shido couldn't help but notice how the heat was starting to take effect on Reine, a soft pink hue appearing on her otherwise pale skin. The warm glow only enhanced her mature beauty, making her look even more mesmerizing in the flickering steam.

And then… there was the undeniable fact that her ample chest was subtly floating in the water.

Shido quickly forced himself to look away, trying to think of something, to break the silence before his imagination ran wild.

However, before he could open his mouth, Reine spoke first.

"Shin."

"...Yes?"

"Have you remembered your past?"

Reine's smile faded, her expression returning to its usual calm and unreadable state.

Shido blinked, slightly caught off guard by the sudden change in atmosphere.

A bitter smile formed on Shido's lips. He had been avoiding this topic for as long as he could, knowing deep down that he was not the same Shido from before. But no matter how much he tried to escape it, he knew that, eventually, he would have to face it.

With a quiet sigh, he finally answered.

"...No, I haven't."

"I can only see fragments of memories… of meeting a girl, growing close to her… and then, people came for us."

Shido's voice trailed off as he tried to grasp at the hazy recollections lingering in his mind.

Reine frowned slightly, her eyes sharpening with curiosity.

"Go on."

"That's actually the only thing I can remember." Shido awkwardly rubbed his head seeing Reine stare at him intently.

Reine sighed, she knew that this thing cannot be forced. However, she was glad that Shido seemed to began recalling the past.

Nevertheless, she didn't stop her questioning and pressed further.

"How about before you were taken in by the Itsuka family? Do you remember anything about what happened?"

Shido was silent and just continue to stare at Reine. Reine also didn't said anything waiting for Shido to talk.

A few seconds later, Shido sighed and slightly raised his hands.

"Honestly, I don't have clear memories of that. However, what I do remember is the feeling of being held by warm hands… and a sense of loss, like those hands were leaving me behind."

Reine remained silent, her gaze unreadable as she listened.

"...I'm sure it might have been my mother," Shido continued, his voice laced with uncertainty. Even though he wasn't exactly the same Shido anymore, he had inherited his memories. In addition, the Sephira Crystal had jolted some fragments of his past, including moments from the time when the Spatial Quakes first began appearing.

Reine silently listened to Shido's every word. She averted her gaze from him and slightly lowered her head before speaking.

"Do you resent your mother for abandoning you?"

Her question startled Shido. Although he had spoken those words to Reine, he understood that they were merely the memories of his body. However, he knew very well who his mother was, and she was always so close to him the entire time.

Despite the lack of change in her expression, Shido could see a faint trace of worry in Reine's eyes.

"No."

"No?" Reine's voice carried a hint of disbelief as she stared at him. She had expected Shido to harbor resentment toward his mother for abandoning him. But instead, he rejected the idea entirely.

"I'm sure she had her reasons. I don't believe she abandoned me because she wanted to. She must have been forced to do so by circumstances beyond her control."

Shido clenched his fists slightly as he continued, his voice filled with certainty.

"I still remember the lingering warmth of her hands. Even if I don't remember her face clearly, I can feel the love she had for me in that warmth."

Reine remained silent for a moment, absorbing his words. Then, she slowly closed her eyes, as if deep in thought.

"...I see."

Shido remained silent, allowing Reine to gather her thoughts as he shifted his gaze toward the night sky. The private hot spring was an open bath, provided a breathtaking view of the stars twinkling above, their soft glow reflecting off the gently rippling water.

Just then, the sound of movement in the water caught his attention, prompting him to turn his head toward Reine.

Before he could fully process what was happening, a sudden whiteness filled his vision.

Reine had moved closer, and without warning, she wrapped her arms around him in a warm, gentle embrace, one that felt deeply comforting, almost maternal. The soft press of her body and the soothing warmth of her touch reminded him of something long lost yet achingly familiar.

"There, there."

Shido found himself enveloped in warmth, his face pressed against Reine's ample chest. The softness, combined with the gentle rhythm of her heartbeat made him a little embarrassed.

"...Reine-san?"

"A little of this won't hurt, will it?" Reine murmured, her voice carrying a soothing tenderness. "Though I may not be able to replace her."

Shido fell silent at those words, his heart tightening. There was something profoundly comforting about her embrace, like a presence he had long yearned for yet never fully understood. Slowly, almost hesitantly, he lifted his arms and wrapped them around her waist, pulling her closer.

"No." he whispered. "This is enough."

Reine's eyes widened slightly at his response, but then, her lips curled into a soft smile. She rested her chin lightly atop his head, her embrace tightening just a little.

"I see." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm glad."